ABSTRACT
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, and it is the process by which new capillaries are formed. It is a central mechanism to healthy tissue maintenance but also a fundamental process in tumor growth. Tissue engineering aims for the replacement of damaged tissues such as bone and skin. The functional vascularization of the produced tissue is essential in its integration and function. Thus, a safe and controlled induction of angiogenesis is required. Cancer therapies, on the other hand, require localized angiogenic inhibition. Effectively control the angiogenic process is fundamental for the development of safe inductive or inhibitory therapies. Biomaterials and bioactive materials can be used to achieve such control. A conjugation of adequate cell types, biomarkers, scaffolds, and growth factors delivery/inhibition are the key to controlled angiogenic therapies.
